title: Prenatal diagnosis and natural history of fetuses presenting with pleural effusion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the natural history of fetuses presenting with pleural effusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between January 2005 and December 2009 all fetuses diagnosed with pleural effusion were followed up. Fetuses were divided into three groups: I, isolated pleural effusion; II, associated structural anomalies but normal karyotype; and III, chromosomal anomalies. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the association between prenatal ultrasound findings and perinatal death.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-six fetuses were included in the study. Associated structural or chromosomal anomalies occurred in 75.0% (42/56) of cases. Bilateral pleural effusion and fetal hydrops were associated with each other (p < 0.01) and with perinatal death (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis indicated that only the presence of associated abnormalities was a statistical determinant of perinatal death (OR, 3.56; 95% CI, 1.48-5.64; p < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fetal pleural effusion is often associated with other abnormalities, and this association has poor perinatal outcome.
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics Department, Faculty of Medicine, São Paulo University, São Paulo, Brazil. rodrigoruano@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ruano
authors.forename: Alan Saito
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Ramalho
authors.forename: Ana Karina Silva
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Cardoso
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Moise
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zugaib
mesh_terms: D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality; D000328:Adult; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D015160:Hydrops Fetalis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D054238:Perinatal Mortality; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D011247:Pregnancy; D015996:Survival Rate; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal